How to find someone incarcerated in Massachusetts
Finding an inmate in Massachusetts can be a daunting task. The state has over 15 prisons, but there are a few ways to find someone confined to one of these facilities. You can use the Department of Correction (DOC) website or call the prison facility directly.
The DOC website contains information about who's incarcerated, where, and where you can contact them. The inmate search feature on its website allows you to type in an inmate's name or keyword like "parole."
The inmate search will give you information about your loved one, such as their case number or address if they are housed at a halfway house or another facility.
The DOC website also offers other info, including:
- A list of all inmates released from Massachusetts prisons
- A list of all inmates who have been transferred to another facility in Massachusetts or out of state
- Information about parole hearings, including dates, times, and locations
- Information about bail hearings and hearings regarding parole violations
Here are the steps to take:
Step 1: Visit the Department of Corrections (DOC) website. This website will give information about locating your loved one and what resources are available for families. You can also access the inmate database at the DOC website by clicking here.
Step 2: Look for an inmate's name on the DOC database by searching through alphabetical lists or looking for names beginning with specific letters. For example, if you wanted to look for an inmate with the letter "F" in their last name, you would search "F" in the list.
Step 3: If your loved one is being held at a correctional facility other than Suffolk County House of Correction, contact that facility using the phone number listed on their website. The phone number may not be current, so it must be accurate before calling to ask about their status or location.
Massachusetts Jails Roster
The Roster of Jails is the official directory and listing of jails, prisons, and detention centers throughout Massachusetts. It is compiled by the Department of Correction (DOC) annually.
The Roster contains information on each facility's address, phone number, and hours of operation, population capacity, physical security measures, and visitor policies.
All corrections facilities are listed alphabetically by name, location, and phone number. The Roster also includes:
- Details about each facility's staff,
- Including officers' names, rank, and salary structure;
- Each facility's security force;
- Inmate population capacity;
- Visitation policies and procedures;
- Medical services are available at each institution; educational programs are offered at each facility;
- Addiction treatment programs are available at some institutions;
- Religious services provided at some institutions
Massachusetts Prison System
The Massachusetts prison system is divided into three security levels: minimum, medium, and maximum. The prison system has several different types of facilities for inmates to serve their sentences. These include prisons such as Walpole State Prison and MCI-White Plains Correctional Facility.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction's main functions are managing, operating, and supervising all correctional facilities. The department's goal is to provide every inmate with a safe and secure environment to live, work and learn. The prison system is broken down into three departments:
Correctional Operations: This department includes administration, housing, food services, and maintenance of buildings and grounds.
Administrative Services: This department provides clerical and legal support to other departments.
Support Services: This department provides medical care to incarcerated inmates while they receive medical treatment outside prison walls.
